Bidet appliance

ABSTRACT

A bidet appliance mountable on a toilet bowl which utilizes water siphoned from the toilet tank. The appliance includes a water storage container which is heated and includes a pump for pumping the water to either a bidet nozzle extending into the toilet bowl area or to detachable douche or enema nozzles.

United States Patent Schrader et al.

BIDET 4 APPLIANCE Inventors:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

US. Cl. 4/7 Int. Cl. A47K 3/22; A47K 11/08 Field of Search 4/6, 7

Clarence O. Schrader, Santa Ana; David D. Woodruff, Huntington Beach, both of Calif.

Schrader Woodruff Enterprises, Fountain Valley, Calif.

Oct. 18, 1974 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hurko 4/7 11] 3,914,804 [451 Oct. 28, 1975 Lazarus et al. 4/7

3,247,524 4/1966 Umann 4/7 3,728,734 4/1973 Hagopian.. 4/7 3,808,608 5/1974 Caplan 4/7 3,810,260 5/1974 Lodi... i. 4/7 3,845,509 11/1974 Liebert 4/7 Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or FirmChristie, Parker & Hale [57] ABSTRACT A bidet appliance mountable on a toilet bowl which utilizes water siphoned from the toilet tank. The appliance includes a water storage container which is heated and includes a pump for pumping the water to either a bidet nozzle extending into the toilet bowl area or to detachable douche or enema nozzles.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 4 3,914,804

U.S. Patent I Oct. 28, 1975 U.S. Patent Oct.28,1975 SheetZof4 3,914,804

fl IG .3.

US. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet30f4 3,914,804

l ra. 4. r j? us. Patent Oct.28,1975 s1eet4of4 3,914,804

BIDET APPLIANCE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in sanitary fixtures and, more particularly, to an attachment for toilets which can be used as a bidet, douche or enema.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Appliances which can be used to provide the sanitary or medical functions of a bidet, douche or enema are well known. Such personal hygiene appliances have taken a variety of forms which can be incorporated in or added to the conventional flush toilet. There is a need, however, for an inexpensive and convenient appliance of this type which can be easily installed, is selfcontained, requires no plumbing connection with the risk of exposure to high water pressures, which is free of potential contamination, and is convenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to such a hygienic appliance having a housing which is mountable by a simple bracket to the toilet bowl of a flush toilet by means of the standard seat lugs. The housing includes a water container with a motor-driven pump. Water is admitted to the container from the toilet tank by a selfregulating siphon. The outlet from the pump is directed through a conduit to a spray nozzle mounted on the supporting bracket and extending into the bowl beneath the seat. The housing provides storage for an auxiliary tube, douche and enema nozzles. A connector within the housing permits the auxiliary tube to be connected to the outlet of the pump by merely inserting the tube in an opening in the housing, thereby cutting off the flow of water to the bidet nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the appliance of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows detail of a nozzle unit;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view with cover removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral indicates generally the housing of the appliance which is preferably made of molded plastic material. An integrally molded mounting braket 12 projects from one side of the housing and includes a pair of mounting holes 14 spaced a distance corresponding to the mounting holes in a conventional toilet which receive the mounting lugs of the toilet seat. As best seen in FIG. 4, the housing is made of a plurality of separate sections including a lid 16, an upper section 18 which is integral with the bracket 12, a water container section 20 and a bottom cover 22.

The water container section 20 has an integrally molded bottom wall 24 which forms part of a pump housing, as indicated at 26. The pump housing part 26 includes an inlet nipple 28 and an outlet nipple 30. A motor-driven pump unit is mounted below the water container 20 and includes a mounting frame plate 32 which is secured to the bottom wall 24 by three screws 25 and forms together with the pump housing part 26 a centrifugal pump housing in which is rotated an impeller 34. A rubber seal 36 between the plate and container bottom prevents any leakage of water out of the pump. The impeller 34 is driven by an electric motor 38 having a shaft 40 which passes through an opening in the plate 32 and a conventional sealing gland 42. R0- tation of the impeller draws water in through the nipple 28 and forces it out of the nipple 30 by centrifugal action.

The upper section 18, which is substantially cylindrical in shape, is provided with a removable shelf member 44. Integrally molded as part of the shelf member 44 is an inlet passage 46. The passage 46 extends through an integrally molded nipple 48 which projects outwardly through an opening 50 in the upper housing section 18. A plastic or rubber tube 51 is connected to the nipple 48. When the appliance is installed, the end tube is lowered into the storage tank of the flush toilet on which the appliance is mounted. Water is siphoned up over the lip of the tank and down into the water container 20 through the tubeSl and passage 46.

The passage 46 has an outlet 52 for admitting water into the container 20. Since the container 20 is mounted at a level substantially below the water level in the toilet tank, water will flow by gravity from the tank into the container 20 by siphoning action. A float 54 supported by a flat spring 55 from the housing wall is positioned below the outlet passage 52. The float 54 is lifted by the rising level of water in the container 20 against the outlet passage 52 to cut off the flow of water into the container when it reaches a predetermined level. Two metal plates 53 of dissimilar metals are preferably attached to the inner walls of the container 20 to provide a galvanic action with the water as an electrolyte which acts to stop algae from forming.

The pump 38 is turned on and off by means of a switch 56 mounted beneath the water container 20 within the bottom cover 22. The switch is actuated by a switch plate 58 which is pivotally supported at its upper end by a lip 60 which engages a notch formed in the side of the water container 20. A spring 62 normally urges the switch plate away from the switch against the inside of the bottom cover 22. Depressing the switch plate 58 actuates the switch 56 to start or stop the pump 38.

With the pump turned on, water is drawn in through the inlet nipple 28 and expelled by the impeller 34 through the nipple 30. A hose or tube 64 directs the water from the pump to a connector assembly 66 mounted on the other side of the shelf member 44. The connector assembly includes an inlet nipple 68 which is inserted in the end of the tube 64. A tapered passage 70 extends into the interior of the assembly. The connector assembly 66 includes an outlet nipple 72 to which is connected an outlet tube 74. The outlet tube 74 in turn connects to a discharge tube 76 extending out through the mounting bracket 12. The tubes 74 and 76 are joined by a coupling unit 78 which passes through the wall of the housing. As best seen in FIG. 3, the tube 76 couples water to a bidet spigot 80 projecting from the bracket 12 into position so as to project beneath the associated toilet seat in position to apply a spray in known manner. The spigot 80 has an opening 81 which directs a spray into the seating region of the toilet bowl.

The connector assembly 66 is arranged to permit an auxiliary tube to be connected to the outlet of the pump to direct water to a douche or enema nozzle. To this end, the shelf 44 is provided with an opening 82 which is positioned directly above and axially aligned with the nipple 68 and tapered inlet 70. The top of the connector assembly 66 is provided with a rubber diaphragm 84 which normally closes off the top of the connector assembly 66. The diaphragm 84 is formed with a Ushaped slit forming a flap 85 covering the hole 82. In normal operation, water pressure from the pump presses the flap 85 against the underside of the shelf 44 around the margins of the hole 82, thus preventing the escape of any water from the connector assembly 66. However, an auxiliary tube, such as shown in phantom lines as indicated at 86, can be inserted through the opening 82 pushing the flap portion 85 of the diaphragm 84 downwardly to provide an opening through which the tube can be inserted into the tapered passage 70. The auxiliary tube 86 is wedged in place in the tapered passage 70 so that all of the water from the pump is directed out through the auxiliary tube and water is cut off from the outlet tube 74.

It should be noted that the space above the shelf 44 provides a convenient storage area for the auxiliary tube and nozzles. When it is desired to use the auxiliary tube, the lid 16 is removed, the auxiliary tube removed from its storage region and inserted in the connector assembly 66 through the opening 82 in the shelf, as described.

The water in the container 20 is preferably warmed to body temperature, for example, by means of an immersion electrical heater indicated at 90. The heater is preferably controlled by an adjustable thermostatic element of the by-metal type, indicated generally at 92.

The thermostat setting is adjusted by a rotating shaft 94, the end of which extends through the wall of the lower cover 22 to provide external adjustment. Heat is conducted from the water in the pump through an integral mounting bracket 98 to which the thermostat 92 is bolted, as by a screw 100.

In addition to controlling the temperature of the water in the container 20, additives to the water may be inserted through an input funnel 102 formed in the center of the shelf 44. The funnel tapers down to a small elongated opening 104, enabling liquids or powders to be directed into the water by removing the lid 16.

In using the auxiliary tube 86 and associated nozzle it is desirable that liquid remaining in the tube after use be drained through the nozzle before it is stored away and not be permitted to drain back into the water container 20. FIG. 2 shows a nozzle arrangement which includes a molded nozzle unit 102 which is inserted in the end of the auxiliary tube 86. The nozzle unit has an internal passage 105 communicating with a plurality of spray openings 106. A check valve is provided in the nozzle unit 103 which includes a ball 108 and a valve seat insert 110 having an opening 112. The ball 108, in response to gravity and/or a reverse flow of fluid in the tube 86, is drawn against the opening 112 to close off the opening 112 and prevent the backflow of fluid out of the auxiliary tube. Stop projections 114 limit the forward movement of the ball 108.

From the above description it will be recognized that a personal hygiene appliance has been provided which can be easily installed and convenient to use. No special plumbing or electrical connections are required. The function can be readily changed from a bidet to a douche or enema by simply plugging in the auxiliary tube.

What is claimed is:

l. A bidet assembly for use with a toilet having a bowl and water tank, comprising a housing having a water storage container therein, means mounting the housing to the toilet, a siphon tube extending into the container at one end and being adapted to extend over the top of the toilet tank at the other end for transferring water from the tank to the container, a pump associated with the container, spray means including a fluid conduit extending from the discharge side of the pump to the toilet bowl for directing spray into the area above the toilet bowl when the pump is operated, and float-operated valve means on the siphon for controlling the level of water in the container.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 including heater means in the container for warming the water in the container.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 further including a bracket connected to the outside of the housing and adapted to be secured to the bowl by the seat lugs.

4. Apparatus of claim 2 further including connector means in the conduit for removably connecting an auxiliary tube to the pump for use with a douche or enema.

5. Apparatus of claim 4 wherein the connector means is mounted inside the housing, the connector means including a chamber having a top wall with an opening therethrough for receiving the auxiliary tube, a flap inside the chamber extending across the opening to normally close the opening in response to water pressure inside the chamber, an inlet tube connected to the pump, the tube opening into the chamber directly below the opening in the top of the chamber, whereby an auxiliary tube can be inserted through the opening and flap into the inlet tube to direct water from the pump through the auxiliary tube.

6. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a removable cover, and the water container includes a top wall spaced below the cover to form a storage shelf for the auxiliary tubes and nozzles when not being used.

7. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein the top wall of the container has an opening for receiving additives to the water in the container. 

1. A bidet assembly for use with a toilet having a bowl and water tank, comprising a housing having a water storage container therein, means mounting the housing to the toilet, a siphon tube extending into the container at one end and being adapted to extend over the top of the toilet tank at the other end for transferring water from the tank to the container, a pump associated with the container, spray means including a fluid conduit extending from the discharge side of the pump to the toilet bowl for directing spray into the area above the toilet bowl when the pump is operated, and float-operated valve means on the siphon for controlling the level of water in the container.
 2. Apparatus of claim 1 including heater means in the container for warming the water in the container.
 3. Apparatus of claim 1 further including a bracket connected to the outside of the housing and adapted to be secured tO the bowl by the seat lugs.
 4. Apparatus of claim 2 further including connector means in the conduit for removably connecting an auxiliary tube to the pump for use with a douche or enema.
 5. Apparatus of claim 4 wherein the connector means is mounted inside the housing, the connector means including a chamber having a top wall with an opening therethrough for receiving the auxiliary tube, a flap inside the chamber extending across the opening to normally close the opening in response to water pressure inside the chamber, an inlet tube connected to the pump, the tube opening into the chamber directly below the opening in the top of the chamber, whereby an auxiliary tube can be inserted through the opening and flap into the inlet tube to direct water from the pump through the auxiliary tube.
 6. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a removable cover, and the water container includes a top wall spaced below the cover to form a storage shelf for the auxiliary tubes and nozzles when not being used.
 7. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein the top wall of the container has an opening for receiving additives to the water in the container. 